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A review by siobhanward
Birdgirl by Mya-Rose Craig
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I have a healthy respect for birds (because one day if they take over the world, I want them to spare my life), and an appreciation for birders and birding. While I certainly don't have the patience for birding, I respect the obsessive nature of most birders, making lists and spreadsheets, planning months in advance for a possible glimpse of a bird.
Craig's account of her life as a birder, her birding trips with her family, navigating her mother's mental illness and her experience as a person of colour in a white hobby was fascinating, heartbreaking and human. Craig didn't shy away from hard moments, nor did she minimize the great moments of her time as a birder. She had a lot to cover in this book: not only has she seen 5000+ birds across 40 countries and 7 continents, she is also a very accomplished activist. It didn't feel like any part of her story was missed or given too little attention. She seems like an incredibly interesting person and a force of a woman and I'm excited to see what she does in the future.
Craig's account of her life as a birder, her birding trips with her family, navigating her mother's mental illness and her experience as a person of colour in a white hobby was fascinating, heartbreaking and human. Craig didn't shy away from hard moments, nor did she minimize the great moments of her time as a birder. She had a lot to cover in this book: not only has she seen 5000+ birds across 40 countries and 7 continents, she is also a very accomplished activist. It didn't feel like any part of her story was missed or given too little attention. She seems like an incredibly interesting person and a force of a woman and I'm excited to see what she does in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Islamophobia